Nextgov
The Pentagon’s Cloud War is (Finally) Nearing Conclusion
Following the end of the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract, a new effort is taking shape.
Workforce
Lawmakers Push to Make Some Federal Employees Vulnerable to Lawsuits
New bill would allow individuals to sue agencies and law enforcement personnel for violating their constitutional rights.
Oversight
This Scientist Created a Rapid Test Just Weeks Into the Pandemic. Here’s Why You Still Can’t Get It.
Irene Bosch developed a quick, inexpensive COVID-19 test in early 2020. The Harvard-trained scientist already had a factory set up. But she was stymied by an FDA process experts say made no sense.
Nextgov
Biden Administration Made Major Customer Experience Moves in 2021
Major policy changes regarding how federal agencies serve citizens took pace over the past year.
Workforce
Nurses in Crisis Over COVID Dig In for Better Work Conditions
In tough labor negotiations across the nation, here's what nurses don’t want: “appreciation that is lip service,” “marketing campaigns” and “shiny new buildings.” And this year might well prove to be a turning point in efforts to organize health care’s essential workers.
Management
The Vaccine Rollout Was a Success. But Events Within and Beyond Biden’s Control Stymied Progress.
There were variants, vaccine hesitancy and messaging mix-ups. And, despite campaign promises, Biden and his administration sometimes took actions or made statements without waiting for full scientific evidence to back them up.
Defense
Denials, Not Approvals, Greet Troops’ Religious Vax Exemptions
No service has yet publicly announced that any service member has received a religion-based exemption from the Pentagon’s COVID-vaccination mandate.
Management
Biden Appoints Acting Labor Mediation Director, Demands Senate Action on Nominee
President Biden’s choice to lead the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has languished awaiting a confirmation vote by the Senate since August.
Management
FDA Greenlights Two Pills to Treat COVID-19
White House pledges equity in distribution of them.
Pay & Benefits
New Pay Tables Released: Calculate Your 2022 Raise
The average increase will be 2.7% for civilian employees, but the exact figure will vary based on where you live.
Workforce
Older Adults Report Stress and Joy during Pandemic
Poll results from August indicate a mix of joy and stress in the lives of older adults during the ongoing pandemic.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: A 2021 Year in Review
Tom Shoop joins the podcast to discuss the biggest stories of the year that was.
Pay & Benefits
Biden Issues Executive Order Finalizing Average 2.7% Pay Raise for Feds
Although the raise isn’t as much as many federal employee groups had hoped for, it restores civilian-military pay parity.
Route Fifty
More Cities Move to Adopt Vaccine Requirements for Indoor Spaces
The added mandates come as the omicron variant of the coronavirus is surging.
Employee Policy
Senior Execs launch new awards for top feds
The group that represents federal senior execs is launching a new set of awards to recognize the best of the best, with recipients to be determined next year.
Oversight
Reversed Employee Suspension at USDA Leads to New Policy on Employee Publishing Rights
Employee successfully challenges an agency's attempt to prohibit her from conducting certain activities when off the clock.
Pay & Benefits
A New Addition to Locality Pay Areas, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Management
NIH Scientist: ‘It’s Time to Get Really Serious’ About a Universal Coronavirus Vaccine
Three National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases officials recently published a commentary about this.
Workforce